Pentagon The deployment of around 700 Marines signals a push towards rapid action in weeks as President Donald Trump focuses on his primary goals for mass deportations, utilizing the National Guard to address immigration protests in Los Angeles.
Last month, Stephen Miller, deputy White House Chief of Staff and the main architect of Trump’s immigration strategy, indicated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should aim for at least 3,000 arrests daily. This represents a significant rise from the agency’s average of 656 arrests per day from January 20 to May 19.
Miller’s objectives have stressed immigrant detention facilities, increasing the ICE presence to levels not seen in recent memory.
Following last night’s immigration protest, demonstrators are in custody in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, file)
Increased Arrests
Tension has skyrocketed in Los Angeles, pushing the immigrant arrest count within the city to levels unseen in a century due to a series of sweeps, including in the fashion district and at Home Depot. Trump dispatched the National Guard and Marines despite state officials’ objections.
Even outside Los Angeles, ICE amplified its presence with a rare show of force, featuring officers in tactical gear. Incidents included a tense standoff that led to four immigrant arrests at a popular Italian restaurant in San Diego’s bustling South Park neighborhood on May 30.
In Massachusetts, a high school senior was taken into custody on May 31 while on his way to volleyball practice. When asked why ICE detained an 18-year-old with no criminal record, ICE Director Todd Lyons responded, “I never said he was dangerous. I stated he was illegal in this country. We will not leave anyone behind.”
Additionally, ICE collaborated with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, executing traffic stops on nearly 600 individuals and arresting about 200 in recent weeks.
Protesters cheer from statue pedestals during protests against immigration, customs enforcement and the Trump administration in Louisville, Kentucky, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Expanded Resources
Lacking both additional funding and adequate staffing, ICE faces challenges in deporting individuals alongside other federal and local law enforcement. Approximately 650 local police have been designated as deputies under 287(g) agreements since Trump assumed office in January to enforce federal immigration laws.
ICE also struggles with insufficient detention space to fulfill Trump’s objectives, leading to overcrowding in several facilities. While the agency has a budget for about 41,000 detainees, it held over 53,500 at the end of May, the highest count since 2019.
Large spending bills involving Congress are seeking $45 billion to add 10,000 ICE staff and expand immigrant detention capacity to $100,000.
Protesters defied the California National Guard line to protect federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
The recent arrests in Los Angeles provide an opportunity for Trump to connect with one of his frequent targets: local and state governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. California’s regulations restrict collaboration unless individuals have been convicted of serious crimes.
The White House recently unveiled a list of 500 “Sanctuary” Jurisdictions, but later removed it following a wave of criticism regarding its inaccuracies, affecting even Trump allies like Huntington Beach, California.
News Highlights
Since Trump assumed office, immigration policy changes have slowed considerably, but the pace has ramped up sharply in recent weeks.
On Friday, Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man, was mistakenly deported and imprisoned without communication. Faced with criminal charges related to human smuggling, he has since returned to the U.S.
Individuals attending hearings to seek legal status are facing arrest raids across the country, alongside travel bans and restrictions impacting 19 nations, whose effects continue to ripple on Monday.
Source: apnews.com